The Bioleaching Characteristics of Chalcopyrite with Different Genetic Types

Abstract

The copper extraction yield from thermophilic bioleaching of chalcopyrite depends on temperature, pH, and the oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), the activity of the thermophile used, as well as on the different genetic type of the chalcopyrite used. The bioleaching characteristics of chalcopyrite from marine volcanic type and porphyry type, and the influence of genetic type on microbial community were studied. The results indicated that the bioleaching of chalcopyrite is controlled by the ORP rather than by the pH. The thermophiles composition of marine volcanic type bioleaching wasMetallosphaeracuprinaandSulfobus spHB59.Metallosphaeracuprinawas the dominate bacteria during porphyry chalcopyrite bioleaching. The different leachability between marine volcanic type and porphyry type is attributed to their nature which caused by genetic type.

The Influence of Pyrite on Galvanic Assisted Bioleaching of Low Grade Chalcopyrite Ores

“…Also, the chalcopyrite dissolution is closely related to genetic type. The porphyry type chalcopyrite is the most difficult type to be leached [5]. This paper mainly focuses on applying the bioleaching technology to low grade chalcopyrite ores and obtains the optimal conditions.…”